Progressive Verbal/Math Pre-Employment Test

First let me say I have taken several pre-employment test and passed them all in previous years. Unfortunately the Prgressive Verbal/Math di not work for me about a month ago.

I took the test last Feb and did not pass the first part - Math and Verbal. I tried to hard to answer each one and did not pass any up. There are 50 in the section. I felt that I had passed, but no way - I was stunned.

I am going back in May to retest and hope to do bettter. Any suggestions on that part? Do you remember how many you answered? Did you skip questions and move to the next? I believe the 2nd part of the testing will be ok - just the Verbal/Math - guess I am losing my brain cells.

My thoughts were to skip the ones I do not feel are going to be answered correctly and not worry about how many I answer.

The recruiter mentioned that lots of people do not pass on the first try and to come back in 90 days - you should do better. I hope so.

Hi KEH,
I feel your frustration!! I just took the Progressive test and didn't pass the verbal/math part either. I don't know how many questions I answered. I didn't skip any and just answered the next one in front of me. Maybe that was the problem?? It's so maddening...I have my bachelor's degree and can't pass some stupid test. Is it a ploy to make us feel stupid??
Any suggestions??
Adriene

First let me say I have taken several pre-employment test and passed them all in previous years. Unfortunately the Prgressive Verbal/Math di not work for me about a month ago.

I took the test last Feb and did not pass the first part - Math and Verbal. I tried to hard to answer each one and did not pass any up. There are 50 in the section. I felt that I had passed, but no way - I was stunned.

I am going back in May to retest and hope to do bettter. Any suggestions on that part? Do you remember how many you answered? Did you skip questions and move to the next? I believe the 2nd part of the testing will be ok - just the Verbal/Math - guess I am losing my brain cells.

My thoughts were to skip the ones I do not feel are going to be answered correctly and not worry about how many I answer.

The recruiter mentioned that lots of people do not pass on the first try and to come back in 90 days - you should do better. I hope so.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you - KEH

Jake-- I took the test last week in Akron. Some tricks to taking this test include-- know how long you have to answer each question. Answer as fast as you can. Have a answer picked out --a,b, c, or d that you answer if you don't know for certian. That increases your odds--better than no answer. When you get to 2 minutes left just answer all the remaining questions c. Again this increases your odds-- a 25 percent is better than zero. Fifty in 12 minutes andyou may not have time to go back to unanswered questions.

The company knows no one will answer all correctly--they are looking for a percentage correct--you need to move the odds to your favor--if only a little.

I took the the Farmers math/verbal test and did not pass either. All Insurance co. must have the same tests. I unfortunately left about 6 questions unanswered, thinking they would not count against me. NOT! Then they said I have to wait a year to apply again.

I just took the test and passed out the first time...I asked the recruiter for help and what the trick was (since obviously nobody can answer 50 questions in 12 minutes)...she said to answer as many as you can, not taking too much time on any one question... "Basically, it's to see how well you handle being under Pressure"...I think I got to question 34 or so with the majority right...I took the time for the ones I knew how 2 do and totally guess on the ones I had no idea!

I took both Progressives' tests the other day and passed them both. I got to question 41 out of 50 and scored a 29 (Passing is a 20). The lady told me that the average score is 17-22. Sad thing is I don't have a degree, you college boys read way too far into things. Just do it.

First let me say I have taken several pre-employment test and passed them all in previous years. Unfortunately the Prgressive Verbal/Math di not work for me about a month ago.

I took the test last Feb and did not pass the first part - Math and Verbal. I tried to hard to answer each one and did not pass any up. There are 50 in the section. I felt that I had passed, but no way - I was stunned.

I am going back in May to retest and hope to do bettter. Any suggestions on that part? Do you remember how many you answered? Did you skip questions and move to the next? I believe the 2nd part of the testing will be ok - just the Verbal/Math - guess I am losing my brain cells.

My thoughts were to skip the ones I do not feel are going to be answered correctly and not worry about how many I answer.

The recruiter mentioned that lots of people do not pass on the first try and to come back in 90 days - you should do better. I hope so.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you - KEH

I knew in advance just need like 20 correct to pass, took my time answering so I only got through like 30 or 34 questions but I did pass the first time. Hope this helps, Good Luck

1. 50 qs in 12 minutes.. Qs were similar to a High school exam.. like what's the next number after; 6, 4, 2,1/2,1/4, ___.. everything is multiple choice.. finish as much as you can.. If you have time, go back.. There is a timer displayed on the screen to keep track of time..

2. If you pass the first one, the second exams consist of personality questions.. it's a rating from 1 to 5 and where you believe you fit. I passed by answering all questions that show that I'm independent, needs little to no supervision, good team player, etc...

After I passed both exams, the lady told me that they will call me via phone today or tomorrow for a phone interview.

Wear business casual attire.. For me, I only spoke with the admin. lady..

Also, contrary to the comments stated above, I was told that the tests are more like the SATs. It is better to NOT answer questions you don't know because you actually lose points when you guess. I was told that it is better not to guess on my exam.

I just took the computer test the one time. The first test was kind of stressfull - having 50 questions to answer in a very limited amount of time. I was only able to answer 30 questions, but I guess that I scored high enough as I was asked to take the second test. The second test was more of a personality profile exam to find out what kind or type of person you are. I passed that test too. I was surprised that I passed, I usually don't do well on computerized tests - I get too nervous.

The first test, they don't expect you to answer all 50 questions, just answer as many as you can.

They are fairly simple common sense problem solving questions. I got up to question 43, it wasn't until about question 40 that I started getting geometry type math questions. I would imagine that I got about 35 right.

From what I have heard, you need a 22 to pass.

My suggestions... Just relax, use common sense, and just skip questions that you don't know the answer to.

I just took the 50questions 12 min assessment in Austin for Inbound Sales/Cust Service and didn't fair so well. I agree that it is like a SAT or GMAT prep. My only problem was that I spent too much time on one questions looking at all the answers instead of just selecting the right answer and moving forward. I'm pretty sure the questions I answered were correct, however, I didn't finish many questions because of my approach.

My advice to others is to look at the question and select the answer as soon as you recognize it - don't worry about checking all the answers - it will slow you down.

Agree with Jim in Mentor, took 2 days ago in Austin, math/logic/vocabulary, etc. Passed the test, if I thought the question was going to take more than 10 seconds (you have roughly 14 sec per question) then I guessed and went to next one. Finished about 38 questions and time ran out.

Tester in Round Rock, Texas said: I just took the 50questions 12 min assessment in Austin for Inbound Sales/Cust Service and didn't fair so well. I agree that it is like a SAT or GMAT prep. My only problem was that I spent too much time on one questions looking at all the answers instead of just selecting the right answer and moving forward. I'm pretty sure the questions I answered were correct, however, I didn't finish many questions because of my approach.

My advice to others is to look at the question and select the answer as soon as you recognize it - don't worry about checking all the answers - it will slow you down.

endjor74 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania said: This is a continuation from my previous post.

Also, contrary to the comments stated above, I was told that the tests are more like the SATs. It is better to NOT answer questions you don't know because you actually lose points when you guess. I was told that it is better not to guess on my exam.

OH well, I guessed on several, and still passed so I'm not sure if you are penalized for wrong answers--don't think so.

I passed the 12 min assessment, it seemed common sense. There was a lot of questions like "is miner the oposite of minor" and for all of these i chose they were different words. There was a math question that stumped me and i didnt have time to think about it so i skipped it. Something like "if a clock loses 1 min 39 sec a month how much did it lose a day".

I failed the 90 question second part and was told by a nice fellow in the Tampa local named Dennis I wasnt what they were looking for and if I wanted to I could be retested in 90 days. There was nothing on that test that could rule me out. I have 12 years call center experience w/sales experience, ive handled escalations, been a team lead. Im thinking maybe they thought I was over qualified and next time I will choose "never had a job before" and see what happens.

Keith in Geismar, Louisiana said: I took both Progressives' tests the other day and passed them both. I got to question 41 out of 50 and scored a 29 (Passing is a 20). The lady told me that the average score is 17-22. Sad thing is I don't have a degree, you college boys read way too far into things. Just do it.

I will try that. I took the test today and did not pass. Some of the questions are impossible to do without taking some time to work the problem out. I answered about 34 questions. I cannot believe I did not get at least 20 right.

CJ in Pompano Beach, Florida said: I have applied on line many times for the Claims Adjuster Tranee position in the past months, however, my resume has been overlooked even though I have a college degree and at least a 2-20 license.

I am working on revamping my resume -- using more of the keys words for the job in my resume. Does anyone have any additional suggestions?

The suggestions for getting to the next stage -- getting through the verbal and math pre-employment testing are excellent. Thanks in advance for any help in this matter.

Look for what they are looking for at the job description, and add that up to your resume. If you worked before for a bank you will have what they need. Good luck

CJ in Pompano Beach, Florida said: I have applied on line many times for the Claims Adjuster Tranee position in the past months, however, my resume has been overlooked even though I have a college degree and at least a 2-20 license.

I am working on revamping my resume -- using more of the keys words for the job in my resume. Does anyone have any additional suggestions?

The suggestions for getting to the next stage -- getting through the verbal and math pre-employment testing are excellent. Thanks in advance for any help in this matter.

The best piece of advice taking assessment test I ever received was to only answer "strongly agree" or "strongly disagree", never answer in between regardless of what you think and feel. Take it from me, I failed many assessment test even though I was qualified for the position, once I received this advice I never failed one again. I took the progressive assessment test before and failed, I now passed it this time.

A red flag goes up with me when certain companies give out these "tests" as a determinant as to employment eligibility. Not sure if I want to work for people who have these ridiculous tests anyway. As a person who is hiring/interviewing someone, I do not give a crap about a pre-employment personality test, general math skills test, etc. These only service to insult my intelligence because we all know that we don't have to take a written exam when meeting customers and talkingto people. So, unless I am hiring someone to tutor a student in exactly the subject they will tutor, like Algebra, or are doing the exact task they will be required to do on their job, like accounting ledger practice, etc, I refuse to give out these ridiculous tests. Some of these tests don't prove jack as to whether or not the person will perform well on a job anyway, and they cut out excellent employees who will find work elsewhere for a better company that values all their skills, not just how well they perform on a piece of paper.

Tests are a joke and insulting in Highland Park, Illinois said: A red flag goes up with me when certain companies give out these "tests" as a determinant as to employment eligibility. Not sure if I want to work for people who have these ridiculous tests anyway. As a person who is hiring /interviewing someone, I do not give a crap about a pre-employment personality test, general math skills test, etc. These only service to insult my intelligence because we all know that we don't have to take a written exam when meeting customers and talkingto people. So, unless I am hiring someone to tutor a student in exactly the subject they will tutor, like Algebra, or are doing the exact task they will be required to do on their job, like accounting ledger practice, etc, I refuse to give out these ridiculous tests. Some of these tests don't prove jack as to whether or not the person will perform well on a job anyway, and they cut out excellent employees who will find work elsewhere for a better company that values all their skills, not just how well they perform on a piece of paper.

Do you think they sell the information for profit? Imagine that, collecting information on job applicants (even if anonymously) for selling.